{"id":377251,"date":"2017-10-26T17:47:19","date_gmt":"2017-10-26T22:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-statutes-of-limitations.html"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:09:04","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T20:09:04","slug":"west-virginia-statutes-of-limitations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/west-virginia-law\/west-virginia-statutes-of-limitations.html","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia Statutes of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n West Virginia Statutes of Limitations\n <\/h1>\n \n All states have what are known as statutes of limitations — time limits for the filing of criminal charges or civil claims.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Being charged with a crime doesn’t mean that your civil rights vanish. All states have statutes of limitations<\/a> – laws that impose time limits for filing criminal charges or civil cases. These time limits help ensure the integrity of the justice system and prevent juries from making decisions based on stale evidence.<\/p>\r\n

These laws also ensure that would-be defendants<\/a> don\u2019t have to look over their shoulders for years (or decades), waiting for someone to commence legal action. For most offenses or injury claims, there’s a set time limit for filing.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains how the West Virginia statute of limitations<\/a> applies to criminal and civil cases. It also provides helpful links to articles and resources on this topic.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding West Virginia Statutes of Limitations<\/h2>\r\n

The West Virginia Code specifies the amount of time plaintiffs and prosecutors have to commence legal action. These laws dictate the statutes of limitations periods for criminal charges and civil cases. The statutes are different, often based on the level the injury or the seriousness of the crime.<\/p>\r\n

West Virginia Civil Statute of Limitations<\/a><\/p>\r\n